Life Changes for Charity Pierce
Charity Pierce, a star from the third season of My 600-lb Life, has experienced many significant changes in her life since she appeared on the show. In 2015, Charity weighed 778 pounds and desperately wanted to lose weight to visit her mother, who was battling brain cancer. She sought help from the famous bariatric surgeon, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, commonly known as Dr. Now. Due to her critical condition, she was hospitalized immediately, suffering from non-healing sores that led to infections.
Dr. Now warned Charity of the life-threatening implications of her weight and subsequently approved her for weight loss surgery. Though she initially experienced progress, the loss of her mother led to a relapse into unhealthy habits as she used food as a coping mechanism. Nevertheless, Charity managed to regain focus and continued her weight loss journey, eventually having a 57-pound mass removed from her leg. By the end of her episode of My 600-lb Life, she had lost 282 pounds and weighed 496.6 pounds. Since then, she’s had numerous updates in her life.
Challenges After Skin Surgery
During a 2016 episode of My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?, viewers saw the second year of Charity’s weight loss journey. Frequent cellulitis infections resulted in multiple hospital treatments. A further skin surgery was necessary, during which Dr. Now removed 38 pounds of extra skin from her stomach, requiring her to stay in the hospital for over two months. Unfortunately, the skin infection recurred later, necessitating another surgery to prevent septic shock.
Charity’s Daughter, Charly, Joins the Program
Charity’s daughter, Charly, also struggled with weight as both had food addictions. By the 2016 updates, Charly weighed 390 pounds but managed to lose 14 pounds. Together, mother and daughter attended therapy sessions to redefine their relationship dynamics from caregiver and patient to a more balanced mother-daughter bond.
By the end of the episode, Charity had further reduced her weight to 338 pounds, losing a total of 440 pounds. In a subsequent 2017 update, Charly had become a patient of Dr. Now’s and qualified for bariatric surgery herself.
Personal Struggles: Betrayal and Heartbreak
In a 2019 edition of the show, viewers learned of Charity’s trip back to Iowa with her fiancé, Tony, and Charly, intending to hold a memorial for her mother. However, during this visit, Charity discovered Tony’s infidelity with her sister, which plunged her into depression. Struggles with food and substance abuse followed.
Despite these challenges, Charity managed to shed 29 pounds, bringing her weight down to 335 pounds, and received approval for further skin removal surgery with continued support from Dr. Now.
Overcoming a Painkiller Overdose
During the third skin removal surgery in 2019, Charity faced a life-threatening situation when she OD’ed on painkillers she secretly brought into the hospital. This incident compromised Dr. Now’s trust, though he saved her life yet again.
Steps Toward Reconciliation and Health
Fast forward to 2020, Charity and her daughter Charly took a step back to tackle their codependent relationship by initially separating. Charly, motivated by personal goals, lost 90 pounds independently. Eventually, they reconciled, and Charity stopped drinking, recommitting to Dr. Now’s program, with her weight falling below 300 pounds by the end of the season’s episodes.
Facing Kidney Cancer
In December 2019, Charity was diagnosed with kidney cancer. By March 2020, she had undergone surgery to remove her kidney, preventing cancer from spreading. Her Facebook updates revealed her successful recovery and her focus on maintaining her reduced weight while cherishing time spent with her daughter, Charly.
The Year 2023: New Beginnings
Charity’s daughter, Charly, embarked on her personal journey, announcing her engagement in January 2022 and proudly becoming a mother in May of the same year. Additionally, Charity joyfully reported in March 2023 that Charly was expecting another child by October 2023. Both of them have succeeded in managing their weight post-surgery, showcasing personal strength and family support.
Present Activities in 2024
In 2024, Charity continues to focus on her family and uses social media to maintain a connection with her audience. Her latest Facebook activity from July 2023 encouraged followers to support her financially via “Stars” on the network. This demonstrates Charity’s resilience in finding new ways to support herself, her daughter Charly, and her new grandchild, emphasizing her enduring commitment to family.
Throughout the comments on her posts, many fans expressed admiration and sent well wishes, likely bringing comfort and motivation for Charity’s continued journey toward health and happiness. Although she hasn’t provided recent personal health updates, she reportedly continues to maintain a decreased weight, embodying resilience and inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
Having surpassed substantial personal adversities, Charity has managed to evolve and emerge strong in 2024, continuing to strive for self-improvement and wellbeing for herself and her family.
Viewers can watch episodes of My 600-lb Life on Discovery+ to see more of Charity’s inspiring story.
